Chapter I: Preface

UP THE BALTIC, the first volume of the second series of "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD," like its predecessors, is a record of what was seen and done by the young gentlemen of the Academy Squadron on its second voyage to Europe, embracing its stay in the waters of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Agreeably to the announcement made in the concluding volume of the first series, the author spent the greater portion of last year in Europe. His sole object in going abroad was to obtain the material for the present series of books, and in carrying out his purpose, he visited every country to which these volumes relate, and, he hopes, properly fitted himself for the work he has undertaken.

In the preparation of UP THE BALTIC, the writer has used, besides his own note-books, the most reliable works he could obtain at home and in Europe, and he believes his geographical, historical, and political matter is correct, and as full as could be embodied in a story. He has endeavored to describe the appearance of the country, and the manners and customs of the people, so as to make them interesting to young readers. For this purpose these descriptions are often interwoven with the story, or brought out in the comments of the boys of the squadron.

The story is principally the adventures of the crew of the second cutter, who attempted "an independent excursion without running away," which includes the career of a young Englishman, spoiled by his mother's indulgence, and of a Norwegian waif, picked up by the squadron in the North Sea.

The author is encouraged to enter upon this second series by the remarkable and unexpected success which attended the publication of the first series. Difficult as it is to work the dry details of geography and history into a story, the writer intends to persevere in his efforts to make these books instructive, as well as interesting; and he is confident that no reader will fail to distinguish the good boys from the bad ones of the story, or to give his sympathies to the former.

HARRISON SQUARE, BOSTON,
May 10, 1871.

CONTENTS.

PAGE
I. A WAIF ON THE NORTH SEA 11
II. OFF THE NAZE OF NORWAY 27
III. AN ACCIDENT TO THE SECOND CUTTER 43
IV. NORWAY IN THE PAST AND THE PRESENT 59
V. MR. CLYDE BLACKLOCK AND MOTHER 76
VI. A DAY AT CHRISTIANSAND 92
VII. UP THE CHRISTIANIA FJORD 110
VIII. SIGHTS OF CHRISTIANIA, AND OTHER MATTERS 128
IX. THE EXCURSION WITHOUT RUNNING AWAY 146
X. GOTTENBURG AND FINKEL 164
XI. ON THE WAY TO THE RJUKANFOS 181
XII. THE BOATSWAIN AND THE BRITON 201
XIII. THE MEETING OF THE ABSENTEES 218
XIV. THROUGH THE SOUND TO COPENHAGEN 237
XV. COPENHAGEN AND TIVOLI 255
XVI. EXCURSION TO KLAMPENBORG AND ELSINORE 274
XVII. TO STOCKHOLM BY GOETA CANAL 292
XVIII. UP THE BALTIC 310
XIX. THE CRUISE IN THE LITTLE STEAMER 329
XX. STOCKHOLM AND ITS SURROUNDINGS 349

* * * * *

UP THE BALTIC; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN NORWAY, SWEDEN, AND DENMARK.